Interview
Jason Griffiths
Jason Griffiths is a studio owner. Ever since he was young, he has always had a passion for art; it was both a blessing and a curse. Jason spent most of his early years skipping school. It was not for him. He was a high school drop out, and he was on his way to nowhere fast. All he wanted was to draw and paint, so he chose art instead of being at school. Jason carved his own path. Stupidly, he hand poked a couple of tattoos on his friends with Indian ink and his mums' sewing needles.
He loved it so much that he decided he wanted to learn to tattoo the proper way. He managed to land himself a tattoo apprenticeship where he polished his art while learning the craft from renowned international award-winning artist, Andy Morris in Wolverhampton. It turned out that he made the right choice as his creative work has graced the pages of leading national and international tattoo magazines such as Total Tattoo, Canvas, CCI magazine and Gangsta Ink magazine. Jason’s work has also made it in the local newspapers, and he has worked many big tattoo conventions alongside top artists. Working with the best artists in the business as helped him take his tattoos to the next level. Jason was even featured in the tattoo documentary "If tattoos could talk." Although he enjoys working with magazines and talking about tattoos, his heart lies in the studio - where he is happiest, creating amazing tattoos for his clients. For Jason, the key to a perfect tattoo is simply down to listening and understanding his clients’ lifestyle, desires, wants and needs. He can then translate this into a head-turning tattoo. Jason gained a significant reputation for portrait and realistic tattoos over the years, his specialty though is large scale Japanese tattoos; this is where his passion lies. This is the style Jason specializes in. He believes a Japanese tattoo is about two people working together to tell a story. Your story, so he involves his client every step of the way.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My background in art staterted at a young age. I have always painted and drew then later on that evolved into tattooing”
What inspires you?
“I get most of my inspiration from Japanese woodblock prints as Japanese is the style I specialize in. But the main inspiration is my clients’ ideas - I turn them into a story with my artwork.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My style always tells a story that only me and my clients know about. It's mainly there story of achievements struggles or battles. Or it's one of the ancient woodblock stories I will tell to pay homage to the Japanese style.”
How would you describe your work?
“Big, bold and permanent.”
Which artists influence you most?
“There are too many to mention but the main two are Filip Leu from Switzerland and Shigie from Japan.”
“You should be wearing the tattoo, not the tattoo wearing you.”
What is your creative process like?
“I always start with a consultation so I can get a good idea on what they want this way I can paint a mental picture in my head. After that I begin a rough sketch so I have something to show the client. Then, on the day of the tattoo I have clear vision on what I am going to do.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I think an artist's role is important as we are creative people. Without creativity, life would be dull.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have had my work featured in the natural history museum in London they was showing soldiers and there tattoos and the stories behind them.”
Website: ultimateinktattoo.co.uk
Instagram: @jason_griffiths_tattoo
